HC directs stopping of Punyam Poonkavanam project at Sabarimala

Kochi: The high court on Friday directed the stopping of the ‘Punyam Poonkavanam' project, a community policing programme aimed at keeping the Sannidhanam, Pamba and the surrounding areas clean with the active participation of devotees, following allegations of fund collection by the project's coordinator.
Upon reviewing the inquiry report on the project, submitted by the chief police coordinator of Sabarimala, the bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and S Muralee Krishna orally remarked that it was a shocking report. The bench also instructed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to widely publicize that the alleged project has no connection with the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
The ‘Punyam Poonkavanam' project was launched in 2011. However, in 2023, the Sabarimala special commissioner submitted a report to high court regarding the alleged collection of funds by the project's coordinator at Erumeli. This issue was initially brought to the special commissioner's attention by the district police chief of Kottayam.
While considering the report, the division bench had directed the then chief police coordinator of Sabarimala to clarify whether funds were being collected from devotees or through sponsorships. Meanwhile, TDB informed HC that it had launched a separate project, ‘Pavithram Sabarimala', during the 2022-23 festival season. This initiative, carried out by its employees, focused on routine daily cleaning activities at Sabarimala, Pamba and other locations.
Upon reviewing the then chief police coordinator's report, the bench noted allegations that funds were collected from devotees abroad. The court further directed the police and other authorities to ensure that no one, including devotees, is misled or defrauded through such activities. tnn